Wondering if It will be Enough

Scripture:
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11

Observation: Paul discusses the good work and good practices of the church in Philippi. He hopes to someday leave prison and come see them, but if he cannot he wants to encourage their faithfulness. In this, he discusses the nature of Jesus, and that he is exalted as the Messiah, and that one day everyone will acknowledge Jesus as Lord, giving glory to Yahweh.

And who is 'everyone'? Paul says it will be everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. However, "under the earth" isn't a clear description of a location.

-- In heaven = Those dead who have received eternal blessing in Yahweh ... or those never born

-- On earth = All the living

-- Under the earth = Those dead who have received damnation in hell ... or just those dead

The common interpretation is that this was all just Paul's way of saying "everyone". Every person past, present, and future will bow and worship Jesus as Messiah, even if they never before believed that. At some point, there will be a great revelation, and even the most evil person who rejected Jesus will come to the realization that the Lord is real, Jesus is the savior of the world, and their most proper act is to bow and worship him.

Application: I started with questions about this interpretation of this passage ... a common reading of these words could lead to an understanding we're talking about the future worshippers being the angels in heaven, and the believers on earth both alive and dead. However, as I think on this and pray on this, I am more inclined to accept the common theology. There will be a day when all these people I see every day who actively reject everything about the Lord, about Jesus, and about faith, will bow on their knees and declare with all their heart that Jesus Christ is Lord.

I wonder, will that be enough to save them? Will bowing to worship in the face of some event that removes any and all ability to even fathom any other truth about the entire universe, be acceptable as 'faith'?

Here is the answer to this question I receive: That is not my concern to know and understand. My job is just to rejoice in knowing that some day everything about Jesus will be proven to such a degree that no one who has ever opposed it will be able to stand. They will all surrender, realizing their errors. I can celebrate that now, during every hard and frustrating and sad day, knowing that this 'someday' is a forgone conclusion. How that affects the salvation of those individuals is not mine to figure out or even think upon.

Prayer: Lord, I do thank you for the joy in knowing that one day everyone will just know the truth. I celebrate that future day in my heart today. May I know you better today. Please keep me strong in my faith, in my love for others, and in my obedience today. Amen.

Clarifying Salvation in a Sinful Land

Scripture:
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered
on the day of the Lord’s anger.
Zephaniah 2:3

Observation: During the time of the last kings of Judah - during the reign of Josiah the 'last good' king - the Lord declares that he will utterly destroy Judah, and all the surrounding nations. He will lay waste to the temple, and kill all those in Jerusalem, their great lives full of gold and wine amounting to helplessness and nothingness. As a form of protection to the remnant that survives, he will also destroy all the surrounding enemies, including Moab, Ammon, Philistia, Cush, and Assyria.

And who will be that remnant? It will be a small handful who humble themselves and seek the Lord. However, it is important to note that 'remnant' doesn't mean 'protected from hardship.' They will be sheltered from the Lord's anger and survive. They will not retain their lives, their riches, their homes, or their temple. They will likely be allowed to flee to places like Ashkelon (called out in v7 as a place for them), but fleeing with nothing but your lives to the land of the Philistines doesn't sound like salvation.

Judah is going down. Jerusalem will be destroyed, and the temple will be completely torn down and burned, purging it of everything corrupt that the Jews have done within it, and purging it of the corrupted people who have lost sight of the Lord. For the righteous who remain faithful to the Lord, they will be sheltered - aka allowed to live - but the Lord's anger will be complete within the land. They must seek humility ... not only should be the humble in their faith, but their future lives will be the most humble of experiences.

Application: I remain convinced that this is the future of America ... there will come a time when the Lord will decide he has had enough of our nation. We aren't some "chosen" people, so this isn't like the interaction between the Lord and his nation of priests, but we are a nation that was founded with a measure of faith and blessed, and has now so turned against the Lord that we are the gateway for evil into the world.

And those of us who have faith in Jesus Christ and who seek righteousness ... what will become of us? We will be sheltered, but we better have a good understanding of what that "sheltered" may look like. It might look like ... living as refugees in small shacks in Mexico, or residing in small European apartments with just enough 'retirement savings' to provide for our small daily meals, or becoming migrant farm hands working for those who now operate the infrastructure of rural North America.

And here's the deal ... I want to be found as one of those "humble in the land". I act too prideful, and behave in a manner of my own choosing too often. In faith in Jesus, I wish to live a more humble life of service to him and to others. Yea, I'm not really looking forward to what "shelter" might look like when the Lord acts against America, and I'm very disturbed by how Christians are now being attacked already in America, but that's all part of the call. That's all part of faith. I live in a sinful land that is in full rebellion against the Lord, and when he chooses to bring it down I hope to be found faithful and humble.

Prayer: Lord, my acts every day are truly rooted in pride and arrogance. Please forgive me sins and my arrogance. May I keep my heart humble, and find ways to instead serve you, love others, and do good work that you have prepared for me. Amen.

Those who are Vexed and Hopeless

Scripture:
The wicked will see and be vexed,
they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.
Psalm 112:10

Observation: This psalm of praise begins with extoling the Lord for the blessings he gives to those who worship and believe in him. Verse 10 is the first to focus on the 'wicked', and their interaction with the world is rather specific. They are ... perplexed in a way that leaves them frustrated, exhausted, and longing for more, yet knowing that what they have amounts to nothing.

This is surprisingly accurate. Even when we see "wicked" people who seem to "have it all" by earthly standards - riches, fame, comfort, praise - we see their interaction with the world remain consistent with the attitude of confusion with the world. It isn't just that they champion ill-conceived or even evil concepts, but that they do so for confusing, inconsistent, and misinformed reasons, then become frustrated and angry about certain outcomes or scenarios. The people who "have it all" are always either fighting for more because they don't understand the life they have, or fighting for causes that run inconsistent with the world, and these things they long for are meaningless to God's plan.

Application: As I ponder this ... the manner in which I see celebrities and athletes and big-time executives who live their lives and 'influence' the world to pursue ill-conceived and immoral pursuits ... the more I believe that such people truly are "vexed" by the world. They are confused. They don't understand the truth and the purpose and the plan of the created world, and of the love of the Lord within creation, and therefore get locked into other concepts. They pursue those concepts (riches, celebrity, and 'causes' they can promote) to the point of being angry and frustrated and unhappy because no outcome ever fulfills them.

And all the while they believe one fact ... they will die, everything will end, and nothing they have will be theirs anymore. They will do so much and then it all comes to nothing and is meaningless ... a wise person might describe it as 'vapor' that just is gone.

Yes, I see the wicked who pursue earthly success as operating from a place of confusion, frustration, and vexation ... and hopelessness.

Prayer: Lord, it is hope that gives me every purpose in my life, and you are the only true source of hope in my life. My hope is in you, Lord, as I have faith in your love, in your promises, and in your salvation. Amen.

Everything Else is Noise

Scripture: There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6

Observation: Paul's encouragement for unity in the church is based on this principle ... that there is one collection of true beliefs that form the foundation of the Christian way. There is one universal Church, all empowered by the same Holy Spirit, and by whom we all have the same, singular hope, which is salvation through faith in Jesus. It is by that hope that we agree Jesus is the singular Lord and Messiah, in whom we place are faith a pledged that faith through baptism. And Jesus as Messiah is, of course, the son of the one true God, creator of heaven and earth.

In one (albeit a little run-on) sentence, Paul defines the "non-negotiables" of faith. Add to this list one more item - the bible as the unerring and divinely spoken word of God - and that basically covers it. Everything else is noise.

Application: So, given everything else is noise, why is that noise so loud sometimes? Why does there exist factions that would declare a false doctrine that contradicts these basics, and they are the ones working so hard to be heard? Why do some Christians yell and scream about the nature of certain sins, and get in fights with other members of their church about how to respond to such sins?

This isn't true of all, but there remains a vocal component of believers who want to shout about secondary issues. And it feels like those are the ones on Youtube talking about topics ranging from transgenderism to the source of the Nephilim to the rapture timing. Throw the 'American politics' wrapper around all of that, and it becomes more than noise ... it becomes a clanging gong or a squeaky fence gate, which doesn't mean anything as is just irritating.

Let's unify around, talk about, and teach others of, the non-negotiables, and most notably the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, as my family remains ill this week, may your healing come upon us. As my family remains stressed this week, may your peace come upon us. As my family remains concerned with the world this week, may your opportunities to speak 'Christ crucified' to others come before us. Amen.

Predestined for this Timing

Scripture: In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-12

Observation: Paul's introduction to the church in Ephesus twice mentions the idea of "predestination". He states that the Lord "predestined us" for adoption into the family of God through faith in Jesus, and here that those who "were also chosen" are predestined to bring praise and glory to Jesus. This, of course, illudes to the difficult topic of ... free will, and the possibility that some people are destined by the Lord's own plan to accept Jesus. The uncomfortable corollary to this is that anyone who does not believe in Jesus - and thus cursed to eternal damnation - was not pre-selected by the Lord and therefore their curse is not a result of their rejection of Jesus, but rather that Jesus rejected them before they had a say in the matter.

That is exactly the way satan wants people to think about this word "predestined". It becomes a reason for non-Christians to reject faith, as it sounds like they have been rejected by God first ... and who would want to believe in a divine entity that rejects them before they even existed. However, this is absolutely not what Paul is talking about. Paul is not talking about predestination in terms of a decision about faith. Rather, Paul is talking about predestination in the context of time and place.

The early Christians - like the ones in Ephesus - were predestined to exist in the first century AD, in order to be the ones who would first accept Jesus, and spread the gospel through the Roman empire. As Paul even says, they were predestined to be the ones who first put hope in Christ, to create the foundation for praise and glory to continue to future generations.

Individuals within the timing of the first century had a choice when they heard the good news of The Way. They had free will to accept or reject the message. However, the context of when and where they heard the gospel was determined by their lifespans, located in the largest unified empire in history. These people were destined to hear the news through traveling apostles that were mostly Jews, some of whom had seen Jesus first-hand and some who understood the Messiah directly within the context of the scriptures and prophesy. They were destined to form communities that would ultimately oppose the Greek and Roman system of gods, and the concept of the godship of Caesar. They were destined to receive letters as a form of teaching from experts, and then to preserve those letters so they could be shared for generations, over millennia.

Choosing to believe in Jesus was their free-will choice. What that choice would mean in terms of interaction with society was predestined by their time and place.

Application: I have free will to choose to follow Jesus, and that is a choice I absolutely make. I believe in Jesus as the Christ and Messiah, savior and Lord. However, what I am then called to do by faith is very much based on the fact I live in what must reasonably be understood to be the 'end times'. It is a timing that involves unique circumstances involving everything from AI-powered digital experiences, to open acceptance of identity and gender confusion, to global real-time communications placed in the hands of (effectively) everyone. I don't have a choice about the circumstances of my era.

As for the end times, there are some who think Jesus is returning this week. I sincerely hope so. I have not been overly obedient recently to his work. I have faith and a desire to be better, but I am also weary with the issues of this age. It would be nice for this to end. But if the end does not come this week, I will renew my work for the Lord in this time and place. I will seek more and more of the Holy Spirit, and by his strength I will find new work to do, as the Lord would call me.

I choose Jesus. I hope the Lord has predestined me to still do more for his kingdom on earth.

Prayer: Lord, I do pray this week, come Lord Jesus. However, if this is not the timing, may I be faithful in doing the work that you have already selected for me to do. Amen.

We have Reached the Tipping Point

Scripture: For you this whole vision is nothing but words sealed in a scroll. And if you give the scroll to someone who can read, and say, “Read this, please,” they will answer, “I can’t; it is sealed.” Or if you give the scroll to someone who cannot read, and say, “Read this, please,” they will answer, “I don’t know how to read.” Isaiah 29:11-12

Observation: After pronouncing both a threat against Jerusalem (a future war and siege) and salvation (the Lord's defeat of that enemy) - both events that soon happened under King Hezekiah - Isaiah then writes that through all of this the people just don't understand. Part of the prophesy itself is that they have ignored and silenced their prophets.

However, Isaiah then clarifies this lack of understanding of prophesy in this passage of prose. It isn't just that the people don't comprehend, or have shut down the words of their prophets, but rather that they willfully ignore the attempts of the Lord to even communicate with them. As a metaphor ... when handed a scroll with clear warnings and instructions, some people will say they can't read (when just having someone who can read this aloud would be easy); some people will say the scroll is sealed (when opening the scroll is the easiest thing to do). They won't even make a tiny bit of effort to comprehend the great truths and messages and warnings and blessings of God.

Application: I have been saying for years - privately with friends and family, and publicly in this blog - that our nation is coming apart ... that we as a people are failing to recognize that we are in the midst of a spiritual war between good and evil ... that a tipping point is coming when Christians will be openly attacked and killed for their faith, and we will know who is evil not by who does the killing, but by who cheers it on and/or justifies it.

There have been signs this has happened with the killing of some lesser-known individuals over the last few months, but with the murder of Charlie Kirk, we now know the tipping point is here.

Thankfully, I have seen many Christians responding to his by declaring the truth ... that this is evidence of the spiritual war that is already raging in the U.S. We are not in a political divide, we are in a war between good and evil, where satan is influencing many into a pattern of thinking and behavior in a war against the Lord, against the plans and purposes and instructions of the Lord, and against the Lord's beloved creation - mankind - and by extension our reconciliation to the Lord through faith in Jesus Christ.

As Christians, our method of "fighting back" needs to be love, not violence. Our weapon needs to be the gospel message of salvation, not shouted rhetoric and anger. Our outward posture needs to be peaceful, not fearful. HOWEVER ... we must know we are in a war, and the enemy has, as his goal, our spiritual death. The enemy - satan, and originator of all lies - has spiritually killed many among us who have declared themselves opposed to God, rejected Jesus, and now act as part of satan's army in influencing others in order to bring them to spiritual death. However, if satan cannot kill us spiritually because we remain strong in Christ, he will seek to kill us emotionally, professionally, relationally, and mentally. What might these types of 'killing' look like?

Emotionally = Creating environments and situations that cause us to fear for the safety of ourselves and our families, to the point that we withdraw and remain silent.

Professionally = Implementing policies and practices whereby acting upon our faith can cost us our jobs or opportunities to advance in our earthly vocation.

Relationally = Turning friends and others us into alignment with his evil schemes so that discussions about the truth create division, strife, and separation.

Mentally = Leveraging platforms like social media to alter our minds, ultimately distracting and undermining our ability to keep our eyes and focus on the truth.

And those he cannot kill in these manners, he will kill physically to remove them from the fight here on earth.

We - mankind in general and the U.S. specifically - have been handed the scroll. It very clearly states that the evil enemy is attacking, turning millions and millions of people into his minions who violate the Lord's precepts, willingly forfeit their God-created identity, declare their loyalty to concepts derived from lies and hate, and then fight for those same lies. Those who accept and read the scroll will have to decide what to do, and prepare to be attacked emotionally, professionally, relationally, mentally, and physically.

My biggest concern is for all the Christians - all the churches - who are saying that they can't read the scroll.

Prayer: Lord, the situation is clear. I have two prayers today. The first is to help me overcome the attacks against myself. I am failing in this regard. I need your strength, and I need to redouble my strength and awareness of the source and cause of these attacks and live into my calling in this spiritual war. Second, please awaken the churches who have declared they can't or won't read the scroll. Please give them a new heart and a renewing of their faith and belief in your word. Amen.

Wishing I Could Someday Boast

Scripture: Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 2 Corinthians 11:21b-23

Observation: In responding to criticism about himself, Paul gets both direct and sarcastic. He gets direct by listing all of his credentials as perhaps the preeminent apostle of the world, not only discussing his background but all the challenges and hardships he has endured because of his boldness throughout the eastern Mediterranean. He is being sarcastic as he calls himself a crazy fool for even saying these things, and what he is really doing is calling out false teachers and church members who have criticized him while self-aggrandizing their qualifications. He is effectively saying, "I am greater than all of them, but I'm not saying so because to promote oneself is foolish and conceited."

Paul will go on to state the one thing he will boast of, which is his weakness, for it is only in overcoming weakness that the power of Jesus can be evident. Jesus doesn't show himself strong because Paul is a Jew, or a learned Pharisee, or even that Paul has been flogged. Jesus shows himself strong because of Paul's conversion, Paul's ability to speak in the spirit despite his shortcomings, and Paul's inner strength through faith while being insulted by others.

Application: I have the ability to make a list much like Paul has done. I was raised a Christian, always attending Sunday School, professed faith at age 16, publicly baptized as an adult, elected an Elder of the church, married to a Pastor, leader of several ministries, coordinator of large evangelistic events over a span of decades, ostracized at work for my beliefs, formally written up and disciplined for proclaiming Jesus, repeatedly publicly insulted for my understanding of God's word, fired due to lies as a backlash for my faith.

And here's the deal ... none of that matters. In fact, I am one of the lesser, weakest Christians I know right now. I have done 'things' but have failed to overcome my weaknesses, and failed to rely upon the Lord to fully assist me in overcoming my weaknesses. The result is a diminishing focus on what is good and right and true, and a pervasive sadness in my life.

This is my goal: To someday add more and more to the things I could boast of - but won't - because I will have a story to tell about the one weakness that the Lord, by his spirit, helped me overcome ... and of that I will boast.

Prayer: Lord, again today I sit here in my weakness, and ask for your forgiveness, your mercy, and your strength. May I find a way to rely upon you today, and not on my own mind and willpower, which always fails. Please, Lord, help me to turn aside from the ways of my own abilities, and rely on you for everything, receiving your guidance in both my work and my leisure. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Administrators Trust in the Lord

Scripture: In that day I will summon my servant, Eliakim son of Hilkiah. I will clothe him with your robe and fasten your sash around him and hand your authority over to him. He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the people of Judah. I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. Isaiah 22:20-22

Observation: This passage is a prophesy concerning a man named Shebna. Shebna is the palace administrator - the person who runs the king's household and personal affairs - under Judah's king, and apparently Shebna did three things. First, he was openly afraid of the message of the Assyrians when they arrived at Jerusalem. Second, he counseled the king to hire Egyptian mercenaries to aid them. Third, he assumed Judah would fall so carved a tomb for himself in preparation for his death. In response to this lack of faith, the Lord will replace Shebna with Eliakim.

What is most interesting about this passage is what is said about this transition of power. Eliakim will receive "authority", he will become a "father" to the faithful, and he will be given the "key" to the house of David whereby what he opens (or unlocks) no one can shut (or lock against him) and what he shuts no one else can open.

There is an unmistakable parallel here to what Jesus says to the apostles, and especially Peter when Peter declares Jesus to be the Messiah. Jesus himself is the promised eternal ruler from the line of David. Eventually, Jesus will reveal to the apostles that he is giving them all authority. At one point, he declares that those things Peter and the disciples unlock on earth will be unlocked in heaven, and those things they lock on earth will be locked in heaven.

Through these parallels, there seems to be a transition in the stewardship and administration of faith. The transition of the 'palace administrator' meant that a different person now had authority over the administrative affairs of Judah, which was the priestly nation the Lord appointed to reveal himself to the world. Likewise, and using much of the same phrasing, Jesus transitions that same authority - the appointment of what people-group will serve David's family line and reveal the Lord to the world - from the Jews to the Christians.

Application: As Christians who have received this commission - the commission to be the 'administrators' of faith - we may try to figure out what we should do. However, not much is known about what Eliakim did in his lifetime. Therefore, we can at least look at Shebna and know what poor administration looks like, and thus what we should avoid.

First, we must not be afraid, but rather know that the Lord is above and more powerful than any earthly threat. Second, we must look to the Lord for assistance in everything in life, seeking his plan and direction, instead of seeking earthly methods or our own earthly wisdom to solve our challenges. Thirdly, we must live life with confidence the Lord will provide for us, rather than living in a manner that effectively just plans for our own demise.

In summary ... we must simply trust in the Lord, in all ways, at all times.

Prayer: Lord, every day I do what I want, using my own thoughts and my own solutions to address challenges, and forgetting to simply hand my life over to you and seek your solutions. I may not act like it, but I do trust in you, Lord. May my actions reflect my beliefs more and more. Amen.

Interpretation without Conclusion

Scripture: At that time gifts will be brought to the Lord Almighty
from a people tall and smooth-skinned,
from a people feared far and wide,
an aggressive nation of strange speech,
whose land is divided by rivers—
the gifts will be brought to Mount Zion, the place of the Name of the Lord Almighty. Isaiah 18:7

Observation: This passage refers to other nations that will someday come to Jerusalem with gifts to present to the Lord. The commentaries about this passage vary greatly about who this other nation - people tall, with different skin, who speaks a strange language and are from a land divided by rivers - might be. The three prevailing guesses in order to apparent popularity are a) Ethiopia, b) the United States, and c) India. There is a scattering of other opinions about northern Persia, Europe (especially Rome), and China as well.

Here's the deal ... none of those quite make sense, yet they all do make sense, especially the U.S. and India. These are both far-off lands who have received visitors by boat (v2) with a message about the Lord, both would be accurately described as speaking a language very different from ancient Hebrew, both are populated by people with skin different than middle easterners, and the U.S. is very rightly described as an aggressive nation who a feared. This overall passage also talks about the rivers of Cush, which at that time was understood to mean the Nile and its tributaries, which is where the idea of modern Ethiopia and Sudan comes in, and this is reenforced when the next section discusses the 'land of Ham' (aka Egypt and northeastern Africa). You can even say ... the Roman empire absolutely came to Jerusalem as an aggressive and feared people, then brought Jesus as the supreme 'gift' onto a hill in Zion.

The concerning thing is that it seems clear that Isaiah - speaking the words of the Lord - had a definitive idea of who this people-group was who would come to Zion and presents gifts to the Lord, yet modern-day scholars who should be understanding this prophesy by the power of the Holy Spirit don't agree.

Application: This is an interesting component of bible study. On one hand, I like going down a bit of a rabbit hole and trying to figure out these sorts of things. I often learn a lot when I do. I discover context I didn't know, and word meaning that wasn't obvious, and feel the Holy Spirit guides me to a deeper understanding when I do.

Likewise, these sort of issues lend themselves to personal encouragement. For example, this is vague enough even after research that I could say ... "This is the U.S. and believers are supposed to be taking a pilgrimage to Jerusalem" ... or "This is India and believers need to be traveling there to give them the good news so they'll want to support Israel" ... or "This was Rome and look, it's another Messianic prophesy Jesus already fulfilled!" Interestingly, any one of those could lead me to a right and encouraging thought and action, and at the same time all three of those are probably wrong (as this was probably about Africa).

I truly do like reading the bible, leaning into the Holy Spirit's direction, and knowing that whatever revelation I get from the spirit is for me. It is God's word for me today, and that represents the true living power of words written a millennia ago.

Prayer: Lord, please give me your spirit today to do what is right, understand everything with your wisdom, and serve others. Amen.

Thinking Upon my Greatest Sin

Scripture:
The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
Proverbs 22:3

Observations: Multiple proverbs in this passage have to do with how evil, wicked, simple, and foolish people persist in their activities. Either they intentionally push into their deceptive ways that are opposed to the Lod, or they don't pay attention to warnings and just keep going. However, the wise take heed, humble themselves, and either turn away from their flawed pursuits or never put themselves on the path in the first place.

Application: Absolutely, my greatest sin is pride. I don't want to do anything wrong, but I do decide that I will do certain things simply because ... I want to, and it's my life. That is pure hubris.

First of all, it's not my life. I have pledged myself to the Lord. I am supposed to make my body a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to him. I am to obey the Lord with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. None of that - NONE - says that my life is my own to do as I please. My daily activities are a reflection of my attitude toward the Lord, and when my activities exhibit sin and anger and a lack of love toward others, that clearly states I am not being a disciple of, and believer in, Jesus. Second, the idea I 'want' to do things is actually quite wrong. I literally do things I don't want to do, simply because I momentarily decide it is something to do right now.

All of this is pride, and based in the idea that I have some innate ability to direct my own life and make 'good' decisions. I have actually proven over and over again that I don't have that ability.

One of the things I take pride in is my intelligence. Even though that is misdirected - the Lord grants me both wisdom and a mind to use it - even my pride should help me fight my pride in this case. The proverb is true ... it is the 'simple' person, without thought or knowledge or wisdom or understanding or intelligence or awareness, who persists in their wrong behavior. I need to be prudent, see the danger of such a path, and take refuge, turning away from wrongdoing.

Prayer: Lord, my Lord and creator, God almighty, help me to heed your will and your word today. I know your precepts. Please forgive me as I transgress in any way, and help me to return and remain on your path with every step, every moment, every day. I desire to love you with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. Please renew my mind. May my daily activity no longer be flawed, but become a living sacrifice to you. Amen.

Woe to the Nation of Dry Grass

Scripture:
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
Isaiah 5:20

Observation: As Isaiah pronounces woes over Judah and Israel, this is included ... a curse upon individuals and groups that confuse evil and good. These individuals are core to the wrong behavior of their nations, for it is from such twisted understandings of good and evil that rebellion against the Lord is founded.

Application: I have probably written on this verse before, but this truly is the curse for modern-day America. Everywhere, all the time, we see individuals declaring those things that are undeniably 'evil' as being good, even excellent and aspired for. Not quite as pronounced - but absolutely existing as well - are the people who declare things that the Lord states are 'good' as being evil, hateful, and wrong.

I could create a list of all the examples of these situations, but that list would be so long that it is worthless to document.

The scary part is what the Lord will do about this. In the case of Israel and Judah - and as Isaiah prophesied in verses 24-25 of this passage - the Lord's anger burned against the people and they were wiped away, just alike a wildfire engulfing a hillside of dried-out grass destroys everything on the hill. However, even with the destruction of the people who perpetrate these acts, that wasn't enough, as the Lord's arm was still raised in anger.

I believe that, in my children's lifetime, Jesus will return to earth. One of the reasons I believe that is not biblical, but from my own logic (which I understand is VERY unreliable and not in any way valid logic), and that personal logic is that the United States cannot survive another 50 years, and thus I don't understand what could happen to global society and mankind when this nation collapses.

I believe the Lord's arm is uplifted against the U.S. We are a nation that declares evil good, and good evil. People will be wiped away like a wildfire consumes dry grass, and then something even more powerful will come to overthrow it all. I sincerely hope that power is Jesus and his mercy.

Prayer: Lord, I am too sad and broken to pray today. Please forgive my sins, and help me at all moments, all day. Amen.

Perceiving Others in a New Way

Scripture: From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective. Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective, yet now we no longer know him in this way. 2 Corinthians 5:16

Observation: As Paul discusses the relationship between believers, he presents the idea that each believer should have a new and different understanding of their fellow believers. They should begin being proud of each other, for each of them is actually a new person and does not exist as the old, prior person they were. Therefore, especially relevant in the context of Corinth, one should not judge their fellow believers based on their prior occupations or practices or beliefs, but rather be proud that such people are now faithful to Christ.

Application: There are many great bible verses that people don't quite apply as they were originally intended, and 2 Corinthians 5:17 - the verse after this one - is one of them. Verse 17 says that, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation, the old has died and the new has been born. This verse is often presented as encouragement to tell believers that their 'old self' no longer exists, and they are now new. While this is very true, verse 17 was originally written in the context of verse 16 ... which is that, when we view other Christians, we should ignore their old selves for that person no longer exists, as they are a new creation.

It is a matter of perspective. Paul is instructing us not necessarily to view ourselves differently, but to view other Christians differently.

I absolutely need encouragement that I am a new creation in Christ and need to live into that identity, therefore I am thankful for the traditional understanding of this part of Paul's teaching. However, I also struggle in my relationships with other Christians. I just don't 'do life' with them the way I should ... I don't live into the Christian community the way Christ - and Paul - teach it. Furthermore, I even dislike it when I see a few others doing so, as if the fact they surround themselves with Christians all the time is a bad thing.

I need to be a better Christian. I also need to find a way to live in Christian community. Perhaps that can be a focus over the next year.

Prayer: Lord, as you know, there is a time coming when my wife and I will seek a new community within which to serve you. May you guide and direct us to a place where we can live in proper community with others. Meanwhile, may I also see others as you would have me see them, not from a worldly perspective. Amen.